Method and network management system for service-oriented planning and expansion of a communication network

Abstract

In one aspect, a method for a service-oriented planning and expansion of a communication network is provided. In the communication network a new service with all the data necessary for it is defined in a network management system. A check is made, based on a model of the already installed communication network and with reference to rules defined for an expansion of the communication network, as to whether it is possible to execute the new service in the communication network. If the new service cannot be executed in the previously installed communication network, a model of the communication network expanded by the network elements, network element components or connections necessary for execution of the new service is generated by the network management system, based on which the installed communication network can be expanded for the new service. This expanded model of the communication network is then displayed.

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
     
     
         11 . A method for service-oriented planning and expansion of a communication network, with the network comprising network elements, network element components, connections between the network elements and a network management system for administration and configuration of the network elements, components, the connections and the services, comprising: 
 defining a new service in the network management system;    checking a possibility to execute the new service in the communication network based on a model of the communication network as installed in the network management system and with reference to rules defined for an expansion of the communication network;    generating an expanded model of the communication network expanded by an item needed for execution of the new service, the item selected from the group comprising of network element, network element component, connection, and combinations thereof; and    displaying the expanded model of the communication network.    
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the rules include a rule for a configuration of a new network element.  
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein a work order for the necessary expansions of the communication network is automatically created on the basis of the expanded model of the communication network.  
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the rules include a rule for equipping a network element with a new network element component.  
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein a work order for the necessary expansions of the communication network is automatically created on the basis of the expanded model of the communication network.  
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the rules include a rule for a connection between the network elements.  
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein a work order for the necessary expansions of the communication network is automatically created on the basis of the expanded model of the communication network.  
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein a work order for the necessary expansions of the communication network is automatically created on the basis of the expanded model of the communication network.  
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein each expanded model of the communication network suitable for executing the new service is displayed.  
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein if all the network elements, network element components or connections between the network elements needed for executing the new service are available, the new service is automatically set up and activated  
     
     
         21 . A network management system, for service-oriented planning and expansion of a communication network, comprising: 
 a checking unit that performs checks for a new service to be added to the communication network, wherein the checks are based on a model of the communication network and with reference to defined rules for the expansion of the communication network based on the new service;    a model generating unit that generates a model of the communication network based on expanding the installed communication network for the new service, the expanded communication network expanded by an item needed for execution of the new service, the item selected from the group consisting of network element, network element component, connection and combinations thereof; and    an input/output unit that presents each expanded model of the communication network suitable for executing the new service.    
     
     
         22 . The network management system as claimed in  claim 21 , further comprises a database for storing the defined rules for the expansion of the communication network, wherein the input/output unit allows input for the rules to be stored in the database.  
     
     
         23 . The network management system as claimed in  claim 22 , further comprises: 
 a work order creation unit for automatic creation of work orders for the necessary expansion of the communication network based on the expanded model of the communication network; and    a service creation device that provides for an automatic creation of the new service.    
     
     
         24 . The network management system as claimed in  claim 23 , 
 wherein the rules include a rule for a configuration of a new network element or    wherein the rules include a rule for equipping a network with a new network element component or    wherein the rule include a rules for a connection between the network elements.    
     
     
         25 . A method for service-oriented planning and expansion of a communication network, comprising: 
 defining a new service in the network management system;    checking a possibility to execute the new service in the communication network based on a model of the communication network in the network management system as installed;    generating an expanded model of the communication network expanded by an item needed for execution of the new service when it is not possible to execute the new service on the installed communication network, the item selected from the group comprising of network element, network element component, connection, and combinations thereof; and generation of the expanded model based on rules defined for the expansion of the communication network; and    automatically activating the new service if possible to execute the new service in the communication network.    
     
     
         26 . The method as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein a work order for the necessary expansions of the communication network is automatically created on the basis of the expanded model of the communication network.  
     
     
         27 . The method as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein each expanded model of the communication network suitable for executing the new service is displayed.  
     
     
         28 . The method as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein after the service order has been carried out, it is possible to execute the new service in the communication network, thereby the service is automatically activated.